In our family, a lot of time is spent in the kitchen and at the dinner table. At these locations, we talk about many things. The topics are endless. From the food & drink we are enjoying, to stories of the past, we leave the kitchen & table full in the stomach and the mind. So we figured we would share our topics of discussion with you right here! So enjoy this treasure trove of information and imagine that you are "at the table... with Doris Italian Market.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Have you seen the "Ferrari Train"?

With the global economy in such a state, each country is doing what it can to rebound and get back on track. Speaking of tracks, Italy seems to be attempting to see a turnaround with the addition of a new high-speed rail service. Italotreno is the first rail service in Italy that is not state-run. This form of competition, like any other business competition is very healthy in my opinion. It keeps businesses honest and fair therefore creating a benefit for consumers. Read the article and tell me what you think...

"Ferrari" train driving high-speed rail renaissance

by Ayesha Durgahee

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Italo serves major cities such as Milan, Naples and Rome

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Rome, Italy (CNN) -- As chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo is used to making things that move at breakneck speed. But rather than flashy sports cars for wealthy motor enthusiasts, the Italian businessman's latest high-velocity project aims to cater for the traveling masses.

The Italo train from NTV -- a passenger rail company of which di Montezemolo is also chairman -- is a high-speed service that has been dashing between Milan, Rome and other major Italian cities since April.

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Italo's features include a cinema carriage and
free wi-fi access throughout the train.

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With its dark red color scheme, streamlined shape and speeds as fast as a formula-one car, everyone's calling Italo the "Ferrari train." A cinema carriage, free Wi-Fi access throughout the train, and luxury leather seats all add to the high-performance, luxury theme. But Italo is intended to be affordable and accessible to all consumers.

Both Italo and state-run rival Trenitalia currently have promotional offers, but Trenitalia's flexible standard tickets from Rome to Milan start from $107 and go up to $200, whereas flexible standard tickets from Rome to Milan on Italo range from $110 to $163.

He believes rail is the best way to travel in Europe and sees the emergence of NTV as a sign of rail renaissance. "There are other trains in Europe but for me high-speed train will be the future of Europe," he says.

While Italy has had high-speed trains since the late 1970s, NTV is the country's first rail operator not run by the state. Montezemolo and his consortium of partners, including French state rail company SNCF, have invested €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in NTV, breaking Trenitalia's monopoly.

But Trenitalia was ready for Italo's arrival. It has spent $100 million upgrading the interiors of its Frecciarossa trains and introduced free Wi-Fi. It welcomes a new high-speed player and is prepared to fight for every customer.

"It's an opportunity for the consumer," says Trenitalia's Emanuele Carando. "It's an opportunity for us to really demonstrate the power of Trenitalia and Frecciarossa ... and I think our numbers are really unbeatable. We are the first high-speed train in Italy ... we served 25 million consumers in the last year and I think our numbers are unbeatable."

State-run Trenitalia's new Frecciarossa trains
even include a conference room for business travelers.
They have spent over $100 million in upgrades
in preparation for Italotreno.

Cameron Jones, vice president of rail industry technology specialists SilverRail, agrees that competition in the sector can benefit the consumer.

"Privatization and competition drives more efficient businesses," he says. "With more efficient businesses those benefits and savings can be passed on to customers. So service gets better, product gets better and pricing gets better."

The expansion of other rail operators across Europe is having a similar effect, says Jones.

With its dark red color scheme, streamlined
shape and speeds as fast as a formula-one car,
everyone's calling Italo the "Ferrari train."

"Competition is driving a customer approach to rail ... and not just in Italy," he says. "We can see that with (German rail company) Deutsche Bahn announcing they're coming into London to compete with Eurostar. Eurostar has invested £700 million in upgrading their entire fleet and adding 10 new trains in the fleet."

Italo hopes to have 25% of Italy's market by 2014, and di Montezemolo doesn't rule out expanding beyond the country's borders.

"It's too early to think outside of Italy but I think this will be the future," he says.